Useless fact for the day

[sobrique]

Useless fact for the day.
The 'speed of light' down an optic fiber, is actually slower than the speed of light in a copper cable.

So if you get a CAT5 ethernet cable, and 'race' a signal with the same lenth of fiber optic cable, then the signal will reach the end of the CAT5 capble first.

Of course, the difference is largely negligable, given in both cases the speed of light is 'about' 2/3s C, which can be approximated as 'really really fast'.

The reason we use fiber optics is due to signal propagation, interference and shielding. Not because it's 'faster' then copper.

Oh, and the dollar is currently at 2.00520 to the pound. Which means it's a good time to do your shopping for stuff in dollars.

Comments

[ash1977law.livejournal.com]

Ah, but is the delay due to having to convert the signal from photons to electrons?

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

Nope, it's simply the fact that electronic signal propagation is faster than the speed of light down an optic fiber

[zaitan.livejournal.com]

From what I recall, light does not travel in copper at all. Unless it is really bright and vapourises the copper to a gas.

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

Well, no, but the signal propagation is what I was referring to.

[malal.livejournal.com]

I was going to make the same observation, then I thought about it & realised that they are both Electromagnetic waves, so might have been argued down.

Hmm Usually ...

[planetpete.livejournal.com]

If that comment was made in the office the Chorus of "GEEK !!"

But this time I will applaude your Useless fact as brilliant.